All interesting conjecture/observations.
Perhaps when Z made the statement (in his truck), TM was still seen running down the walkway heading towards the rear entrance. And then Z either “lost him” when TM turned, or perhaps faded away into the dark.
And Z may have assumed that TM did not live in the neighborhood (not seeing him around as TM was new), and figured he would just try to leave the complex as quick as possible - through that rear entrance.
From some of the witnesses it sounds like there was a verbal argument ahead of time. One person said something like “I heard voices, and could tell it wasn’t the normal conversation of people walking their dogs.”
So I’m not sure TM “Jumped” Zimmerman from behind - but probably started off with words that got out of control. (Although perhaps caught him off guard hiding behind a bush or something).
“Hey - what are you doing here?”
“Nothing man, I’m walking home”?
“Then how come you ran?”
“What are you - Mr. Cop or something?”
“Hey, listen punk - I’m the neighborhood watch Captain...”
“Oh - big shot watch captain, well how about you watch me kick your ass...”
Obviously all conjecture, but I could see each of their testosterone levels rising. Although from the phone call, Z doesn’t seem all that confident or cocky. Based on TM’s photos and posts, I can see where he might think it cool to go “gansta” on some guy.
Well, that’s as reasonable a theory as any, and it fits the known facts and timeline. It is similar to things I’ve suggested among the many posts I’ve made here during my (somewhat unhealthy) obsession with this case for the last couple of weeks. As I’ve said before, it is perfectly reasonable to believe that both Martin and Zimmerman started out acting reasonably, but things got out of control. In your scenario, I can easily put myself in either one’s shoes (up to a point.) And none of that necessarily means Zimmerman committed a crime.
Zimmerman’s account (via his father) is that the conversation went like this:
M: You got a problem?
Z: No, I don’t have a problem.
M: Well, now you do! *punch*
That may fit the witness account of raised voices, too, and again, the known evidence does not contradict Zimmerman’s claim of self-defense.
Remember, we haven’t actually heard Zimmerman’s account - just versions of various parts of it recounted by others. All we know for sure is that he claimed self-defense and the police concluded that none of the evidence contradicted his claim.
Greetings 21twelve:
Did the girlfriend call 911 after Trayvon is allegedly confronted by Zimmerman and she can not re-establish the conversation with Trayvon?
Cheers,
OLA
Reports of Zimmerman's initial statement (not confirmed or denied by the police at this point):
"Zimmerman told police that he lost sight of Martin and was walking back to his SUV when Martin approached him from the left rear, and they exchanged words.Martin asked Zimmerman if he had a problem. Zimmerman said no and reached for his cell phone, he told police. Martin responded, "Well, you do now" or something similar and punched Zimmerman in the nose."
[Side note: I've seen reports that GZ's father is now saying that TM said, "You're gonna die now, m******f******" or something to that effect which is much more inflammatory than GZ's reported, "Well, you do now."]
Martin's girlfriend doesn't know who spotted whom first but she does confirm that TM was the first to speak -- "Why you following me?" and GZ's "What are you doing here?" (Was this the exchange of words mentioned in GZ's reported statement?)
She also claims that she heard a scuffle followed by a disconnected line. And like the initial sighting, she would have no way to know if this scuffle was initiated by TM or by GM.
Proposed theory: Is it possible that the "you got a problem?" and the "no" came after a bit of shoving or grabbing by one or both? When GZ reached for his phone, did TM see the gun holster tucked inside his waistband? Is is possible that he punched GZ because he mistakenly though GZ was going for his gun at that point? If you punch a guy with a gun, a guy that you know spent several minutes watching you for no reason that you're aware of, do you then let him up or do you make sure he's incapacitated before you stop?
Said in previous threads and repeating here for good measure here: I don't think either of these guys thought they were the bad guy. There seems to be ample indication that each was highly suspicious of the other. Tension was likely high on both sides and each reacted accordingly. Unfortunately, it ended very badly for both of them.